Limited kits: 15 - 20-40 - 70 or 15 - 21 - 40 - 70?

Cambo · 06-16-2021, 01:37 PM

Just curious. The 20-40 is on a SPECTACULAR sale right now and I could rebuild my partially stolen kit with it, saving almost $400.00 cdn.

What do people think?

Thanks,
Cameron

**Cerebum** · 06-16-2021, 01:45 PM

I have all five DA limiteds but not the 20-40mm (although it is on its way). By all accounts reviews are mixed on the 20-40mm, more so than on the primes, but I have seen enough to know I want one. I think the primes have the edge on IQ, and each one has its own character but as an every day walkabout, small, high quality WR zoom that is close to the limiteds and way more convenient, you gotta think about it. I am wondering if my beloved primes are going to feel neglected!

stevebrot · 06-16-2021, 02:15 PM - **1 Like**

I think it is your money. Go the direction that suits your fancy!

Steve

3by2 · 06-16-2021, 02:31 PM

Tricky, no really bad decision there. The 15, 20-40 and a DFA100WR make up my current travel kit. Based on practicality the 20-40 saves a regular lens change and has the advantage of being the only WR Ltd extending it's usefulness, so on practical grounds the 15,20-40, 70 seems a good choice. However the 21's glow and 40's tonal smoothness make lens changes worth it so for purity the 15,21,40 70 is good but really there is no bad decision there.

I don't have the 70 it's next on my roadmap!

**W412ren** · 06-16-2021, 02:43 PM

My thoughts
If it’s on a great deal, buy it and try it. Not keen after a month or so then sell it

Personally if I had to choose I’d take my 20-40 over the 21&40 from a pleasing-image point of view.
At the moment I tend to use the 15/20-40/100 or the 21/40/70 combos. Then again, I prefer the 43 to the 40 so the 40 is probably my least used limited. Good for panos though.

Kjbecker79 · 06-16-2021, 02:44 PM

I'm using the 20-40 on my K-1 II in APS-C mode and I am very pleased with the AF performance, lens size, lens weight, etc.

**caliscouser** · 06-16-2021, 02:53 PM

Both great options. There is no loss in IQ going for the 20-40 over the 21/40 in my opinion.

Are you okay or used to changing lenses a lot in the normal focal range. If so, the pancakes primes are great for the form factor.

Personally I don't like changing lenses around much once I'm out so the 20-40 works better for me. Plus it is WR which is a bonus.

Or, just accept that eventually you'll end up with all of them

Wasp · 06-16-2021, 03:00 PM - **1 Like**

Get both, try them out and return the one you don't like? Stretching the retailer's generosity and a little disingenuous. Then again, you you might end up keeping both.

Edit: my go-everywhere Samsung NX100 was stolen last year. Thanks my insurer and a great deal, I replaced it with an NX1. However, I miss the small and light NX100 with 20-50mm folder lens. So I am looking for an NX300 or NX500 to turn up. They are quite rare in my value and sellers are looking for ROI, so no luck yet.

The stupid thief neglected to take the charger that was next to the camera bag that he took, so he must have had some problems fencing it. My biggest regret is that there was an NX to Minolta MC adapter in the bag, which I have not replaced yet. So now my Minolta 58mm f/1.4 does not get used - bummer. It was a very nifty little bag as well.

I have solicited offers from dealers on the 58, with an Minolta SRT303 body thrown in. You won't believe the low-ball offers I got. They are (almost) in the same game as the thief, it seems. So I am keeping it.

AfterPentax Mark II · 06-16-2021, 03:17 PM

I would go for the 20-40. It is a great lens and I used it on my K-3 II with much pleasure. Two advantages: weather sealed and silent motor AF. I have upgraded my K-3 II to a KP and the results are even better than on the K-3 II. You can not go wrong with this lens. And if it is on offer you get 21 primes

in a small package for a ridiculous price.

dbs · 06-16-2021, 03:29 PM

If you can just get, that is a huge saving and if you don't like it you shouldn't loose any money on selling it.
It fits in nicely with the primes.
You end up with them all anyway ( guilty as charged )

**Cerebum** · 06-16-2021, 03:32 PM

The reason I want it is for travel. I am predominantly an urban photographer with the odd church and bit of general stuff thrown in. I went to Cadiz with my 21, 35 & 70. The 70 hardly got used. The 20-40 is going to be all my favourite limiteds/focal length in one lens!

Kwong · 06-16-2021, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by Cambo

Just curious. The 20-40 is on a SPECTACULAR sale right now and I could rebuild my partially stolen kit with it, saving almost $400.00 cdn.

What do people think?

Thanks,
Cameron

I had all 5 da limiteds and recently got a 20-40 new at a bargin price. Now my kit will be 15, 20-40, 35 for macro, and fa 77 on aps-c.
Absolutely 100% happy with results of the 20-40 on K3.

aaacb · 06-16-2021, 05:22 PM

I've had the four primes you're considering, it was a bit fiddly to have all with me at once but picking 2-3 made for a flexible kit.

**Pentax Syntax** · 06-16-2021, 05:42 PM

I have all of the lenses listed. It all depends upon how you use the limiteds. I often just use one lens to walk around and that is the 21. The 20-40 is also useful alone but substantially larger. As a set, I am partial to the primes. Can’t hurt to have all :-).

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-16-2021, 05:55 PM - **1 Like**

I love the 20-40, I actually bought it for a trip where i wanted a weather sealed fast wide zoom and it wowed me, I quickly sold my Sigma 17-50 because the 20-40 was so much better. It even looks good on the KP!

06-16-2021, 01:37 PM	#1
Cambo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,016	Limited kits: 15 - 20-40 - 70 or 15 - 21 - 40 - 70? Just curious. The 20-40 is on a SPECTACULAR sale right now and I could rebuild my partially stolen kit with it, saving almost $400.00 cdn. What do people think? Thanks, Cameron

06-16-2021, 03:00 PM - 1 Like	#8
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,656	Get both, try them out and return the one you don't like? Stretching the retailer's generosity and a little disingenuous. Then again, you you might end up keeping both. Edit: my go-everywhere Samsung NX100 was stolen last year. Thanks my insurer and a great deal, I replaced it with an NX1. However, I miss the small and light NX100 with 20-50mm folder lens. So I am looking for an NX300 or NX500 to turn up. They are quite rare in my value and sellers are looking for ROI, so no luck yet. The stupid thief neglected to take the charger that was next to the camera bag that he took, so he must have had some problems fencing it. My biggest regret is that there was an NX to Minolta MC adapter in the bag, which I have not replaced yet. So now my Minolta 58mm f/1.4 does not get used - bummer. It was a very nifty little bag as well. I have solicited offers from dealers on the 58, with an Minolta SRT303 body thrown in. You won't believe the low-ball offers I got. They are (almost) in the same game as the thief, it seems. So I am keeping it. Last edited by Wasp; 06-16-2021 at 03:16 PM.

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06-16-2021, 01:45 PM	#2
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	I have all five DA limiteds but not the 20-40mm (although it is on its way). By all accounts reviews are mixed on the 20-40mm, more so than on the primes, but I have seen enough to know I want one. I think the primes have the edge on IQ, and each one has its own character but as an every day walkabout, small, high quality WR zoom that is close to the limiteds and way more convenient, you gotta think about it. I am wondering if my beloved primes are going to feel neglected!

06-16-2021, 02:15 PM - 1 Like	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I think it is your money. Go the direction that suits your fancy! Steve

06-16-2021, 02:31 PM	#4
3by2 Closed Account Join Date: Feb 2019 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 819	Tricky, no really bad decision there. The 15, 20-40 and a DFA100WR make up my current travel kit. Based on practicality the 20-40 saves a regular lens change and has the advantage of being the only WR Ltd extending it's usefulness, so on practical grounds the 15,20-40, 70 seems a good choice. However the 21's glow and 40's tonal smoothness make lens changes worth it so for purity the 15,21,40 70 is good but really there is no bad decision there. I don't have the 70 it's next on my roadmap!

06-16-2021, 02:43 PM	#5
W412ren Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fareham, Hampshire Photos: Albums Posts: 570	My thoughts If it’s on a great deal, buy it and try it. Not keen after a month or so then sell it Personally if I had to choose I’d take my 20-40 over the 21&40 from a pleasing-image point of view. At the moment I tend to use the 15/20-40/100 or the 21/40/70 combos. Then again, I prefer the 43 to the 40 so the 40 is probably my least used limited. Good for panos though.

06-16-2021, 02:44 PM	#6
Kjbecker79 New Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 15	I'm using the 20-40 on my K-1 II in APS-C mode and I am very pleased with the AF performance, lens size, lens weight, etc.

06-16-2021, 02:53 PM	#7
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Both great options. There is no loss in IQ going for the 20-40 over the 21/40 in my opinion. Are you okay or used to changing lenses a lot in the normal focal range. If so, the pancakes primes are great for the form factor. Personally I don't like changing lenses around much once I'm out so the 20-40 works better for me. Plus it is WR which is a bonus. Or, just accept that eventually you'll end up with all of them

06-16-2021, 03:17 PM	#9
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,458	I would go for the 20-40. It is a great lens and I used it on my K-3 II with much pleasure. Two advantages: weather sealed and silent motor AF. I have upgraded my K-3 II to a KP and the results are even better than on the K-3 II. You can not go wrong with this lens. And if it is on offer you get 21 primes in a small package for a ridiculous price.

06-16-2021, 03:29 PM	#10
dbs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Clare Valley S A Photos: Albums Posts: 7,560	If you can just get, that is a huge saving and if you don't like it you shouldn't loose any money on selling it. It fits in nicely with the primes. You end up with them all anyway ( guilty as charged )

06-16-2021, 03:32 PM	#11
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,828	The reason I want it is for travel. I am predominantly an urban photographer with the odd church and bit of general stuff thrown in. I went to Cadiz with my 21, 35 & 70. The 70 hardly got used. The 20-40 is going to be all my favourite limiteds/focal length in one lens!

06-16-2021, 04:57 PM	#12
Kwong Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 198	Originally posted by Cambo Just curious. The 20-40 is on a SPECTACULAR sale right now and I could rebuild my partially stolen kit with it, saving almost $400.00 cdn. What do people think? Thanks, Cameron I had all 5 da limiteds and recently got a 20-40 new at a bargin price. Now my kit will be 15, 20-40, 35 for macro, and fa 77 on aps-c. Absolutely 100% happy with results of the 20-40 on K3.

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06-16-2021, 05:22 PM	#13
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,723	I've had the four primes you're considering, it was a bit fiddly to have all with me at once but picking 2-3 made for a flexible kit.

06-16-2021, 05:42 PM	#14
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	I have all of the lenses listed. It all depends upon how you use the limiteds. I often just use one lens to walk around and that is the 21. The 20-40 is also useful alone but substantially larger. As a set, I am partial to the primes. Can’t hurt to have all :-).

06-16-2021, 05:55 PM - 1 Like	#15
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,288	I love the 20-40, I actually bought it for a trip where i wanted a weather sealed fast wide zoom and it wowed me, I quickly sold my Sigma 17-50 because the 20-40 was so much better. It even looks good on the KP!